Official Sony VAIO AW Series 18.4" Owners thread

Using a BlackBerry I use the supplied software.

Check somewhere under settings.

Googled it...
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/f611d649-a80f-4172-bb98-ade6b6cf62801033.mspx

 

Can you reinstall the OS and hopefully Blu Ray playback software onto a new hard drive using the discs you burn yourself?

 

Hello

I want to ask: Is the possible to exchange processor from VGN-AW11Z/B
T9400 for T9600 or T9800 ?

Thnx

 

Regarding virtualization, 32-bit operating systems can be virtualized on Vaios, but 64-bit OSs cannot. They will not install in the virtual environment.

It's a major gotcha with Vaios (that I didn't know about when I bought this AW-130J model). Buyer beware!

 

Isn't it something that's blocked by the BIOS and sooner or later someone finds a way to sort that out?

 

I am looking for an answer to that question as well. I am curious if you can put a Q9300 or a X9100. I think phisically you can but I don't know if it's possible for the cooling to cope with a 45W CPU.

 

Check the socket - that'll tell you whether the processor will fit.

Now 45W CPU - how much of these 45W are heat, that's the question - anyway, I haven't upgraded CPU myself, you I'm the wrong persont to ask for that.

But check the socket for "whether it fits"

 

Is the socket different for quad series?

 

Ask that in the hardware section - I'm sure you'll find experienced help in there.

 

I received my AW last week, and had a couple of days to test it out.

my first impression is quite good. the build quality is without a flaw, nothing creaks/flexes or is loose, the keyboard works perfectly, and I got quickly used to its key spacings... and precision
the display is brilliant, altho I'm a little bit disappointed that my dual-lamp x-black screen turned out not to be as bright as I thought it was. the color/contrast/angle is A+, but it's not really that bright. I definately have to use 100% brightness in any case (opposed to other reviewers).
the system isn't really that full of bloatware, I un-installed McAfee and probably will also delete Google Desktop, but other than that I only have a couple of Vaio programs pre-installed. it doesnt feel slow.
I already had the Vaio battery powered, and as expected, it lasts only about 1.5h. I was somehow confused, as the laptop did not change its power plan. unplugging/plugging the power cord doesn't set the notebook in power-saving respectively high-performance modes. You have to be sure to set the proper power plan when using it on battery, and remember to reactivate the full power plan when switching back. that's kind of a hassle, and imo pretty lacking.
full-throttle work is no problem, the AW stays cool, and quiet.

 

Same on the SZ - unplugging doesn't change the actual "power plan", however your power plan can contain very different settings for AC and battery supply.

 

For those that got this laptop and are playing wow. My laptop sometimes minimizes wow and goes to the desktop I think it must be some program trying to update itself. Has anyone encountered this and do you know what programs that are trying to update? thanks for any help!

 

Quoting myself:

"Can you reinstall the OS and hopefully Blu Ray playback software onto a new hard drive using the discs you burn yourself?"

 

Thanks for the review!
Just or curiosity, what kind of bag are you using?

 

I am not sure if this was a general question but I bought the sony aw laptop bag from sonystyle.com and its great!

 

I dont have a bag yet, as I dont want to spend much money on it. Sony offers an AW bag for 160 €, I'd rather pay like 50 € max. - I got my old notebook-bag 15,4" for 40 € and its super rigid and valuable.

 

Sure, pretty general
I'm in the desperate search of a bag bigger enough for this laptop but smaller than the 56-cm sony bag...

If you find something, please let me know!
The Logic 17" bag is not sold in europe...

 

The default installation puts in a lot of nagware trying to get to download stuff and warning that you are doing things. If you do not want to be bothered by them I suggest going through all the Sony & Microsoft programs and disabling the nags.

 

The info you need is in post 529

You bascially need to follow the procedure described in the second thread that goes on about MOD and WIM files. If you still haven't totally formatted your hard drive, then your recovery partition should still exist and you can extract the programs individually using this method first and burn/copy them onto an external hard drive or dvd before starting the whole procedure.

I was able to reinstall WinDVD BD onto a 64bit version of Vista as well as Roxio using this method (I had to download a 64bit version of imagex to get the WIMs to mount).

If none of this stuff makes sense, then I'd advise against giving it a go and just live with how Sony has provided the laptop to you.


Cheers!

Wai

 

Thanks...no that sort of makes sense, but does it let you reinstall Windows itself? I really need to reinstall to a new hard drive after getting the machine. I'd PREFER to be able to do a clean install, but even if I can just get it back to factory settings with all the bloatware on it that would be okay, I guess.

 

Hey I've never used one of these forums before so if this is the wrong place for this, sorry..... Anyway, I just upgraded my computer from a compaq desk top that had XP on it to this new Sony AW110J. Probrably more than I needed in a computer, but I didn't want to have to buy a new one in two years to keep up with technology, plus I really wanted it to have a Blu Ray player. Anyway my problem is this:

I copied, from my old compaq, my itunes library to a Western Digital 250gb external hard drive. I have had no problem copying the library to my new sony and everything works fine, until I use the Vaio Media buttons above the function keys. I don't plan on using Vaio's music box, but I clicked on it while exploring my new computer. To my surprise when I went to iTunes my library was wiped away. iTunes was still there but the library was blank. I checked my music folder and the iTunes file folder was still there, but some new files were added. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a fix for this?

thanks

jerry

 

Question of the day, can I put XP on a Vaio AW and are there drivers for it? is there someone in this thread running XP with everything working on it? I can't do Vista.

Thanks for the feedback.

Chris

 

If I deleted my recovery partition but managed to burn the recovery DVDs, can I still manage to install WinDVD BD and Adobe Photoshop elemenents on to vista x64? I tried with the recovery DVD but they say that they need the 32bit version to install the original software.

 

I just don't understand-what do the recovery discs you can burn do for you? Do they allow you to reinstall the OS and other software onto a formatted hard drive?

 

I looked at the startup programs and disabled some items that looked like junk and when in wow it didn't switch so thanks for the help!

 

The best low cost bag in the UK (You can also get it in the US) is the Targus Messenger, also known as the Targus XL City Gear. This is a bag for 17" laptops, but it fits the AW's nicely. It's about 25GBP, so is a decent price as well.

I'm a bit fussy about my laptop bags (I like crumpler stuff), but the Targus is pretty easy on the eye.

I came across a few online shops in the UK that let you type in the size of your laptop, and give you a list of the ones that will fit (can't remember what the sites were though-sorry)

 

Someone asked this question (similar) already...

See here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=326731

 

i think its a repost by the same person.

 

Can you add the TV tuner later on this laptop?

 

Hi, have the AW11 Z/B - as with all my laptops, I immediately removed the bloated sony installed OS and reinstalled Vista using drivers supplied from the Sony website - all is well apart from the fan is running constantly

there is nothing in the BIOS (or nothing that you can get to) to set fan speeds on etc, so my question is basically, is there anywhere within windows to adjust the running speed of the fan?

thanks

 

I cleared down the hard drives and partitioned them as I wanted them, and then
installed a legitimate licensed version of Vista32 Ultimate

been scouring the internet, there are various so called tools that allow you to adjust fan speeds, none of which have worked so far

 

Thanks for the info Mrspot.

Hmm...so did you use the drivers for Vista Business listed on Sony's site? Do you still have a functional Blu Ray playback program? I suppose I could always just buy a separate copy of Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

 

Hey guys...

New here and soon to be a proud new owner of a Vaio AW (As soon as sony ships mine out darnit!) But I ordered it the way I like except for the fact I opted out of the SSD and I kind of think I wanted one but not for that kind of money...

Anyways I was wondering if I can fit one in there as well as my 320gb drive because then I would be really happy... and if so can I fit any SSD in there?

I found a bunch of them on Newegg for about 70-200 dollars which I would pay but was just wondering if they would fit and if they are any good? Thanks for the help guys... I'd post links but I can't until I hit 15 posts

 

Ones for that price would be garbage. You're looking at the $600-700 range if I'm remembering correctly for like an Intel drive, which would be as cheap as you'd want to go.

If I'm remembering this thread correctly, you can't add a second drive unless your system shipped with two drives to begin with.

 

Oh... that's good to know... then maybe I should just go back and try to add the option on but I saw it came with a 500 gb 4200 RPM drive and a 64 gb SSD... I could easily swap out the 500gb for a 7200rpm right?

 

A big thank you to all those who have been early adopters of this laptop and have posted their remarks here. I read nearly the entire thread over the course of a couple of days, and finally took the plunge and bought an 190AW Premium this morning. Since Sony's $100 off sale with free shipping would end on Dec 1st, I figured that a new sale would be introduced. Well, it happened. Instead of pricing out my laptop at $2968.99 with the Adobe screen, 2.53GHz CPU, 4GB RAM, 2x 320GB 7200 drives, Vista 64 Home Premium and the extended battery I ended up upgrading the same configuration with 8GB of RAM and got away with the laptop for $3068.99. Thank you Sony!!! Now I can get rid of the massive tower case sitting next to me with its loud PSU and fans. Not to mention lowering the energy bill since the current computer has two dual-Opteron 285, six fans (including two 120mm), and four hard drives.

Now I can't wait until December 10th when the laptop ships. Hopefully it only takes a couple of days to get here as I'm really bad about waiting.

 

I have a question to AW owners with a X-Brite FullHD dual-lamp CCFL screen: how is the brightness? the general quality is excellent, but Im really bothered by the fact that the screen isn't as bright as I want it to be at full brightness.
btw, where are the 2 lamps located? top & bottom I suppose? standard laptops with one lamp only, only at the bottom?

btw, I noticed that the screen, even tho it's glossy, reflects less than other glossy screens I have used.

 

Yes...except I don't know if you can reinstall Windows from the backup discs you can create. I keep asking but no one seems to know.

One person did report successfully installing their own copy of 32-bit Vista Ultimate...presumably using the Vista Business drivers Sony has on their site, but they didn't really give details about that either.

I can't find much info, which stinks, because it's on sale (as of last night anyway).

 

After installing the x64 vista I no longer have the CF reader installed. It doesn't even show up as a uninstalled hardware. What can I do?

 

It has a compact flash reader? There are 64-bit drivers for a Memory Stick reader, and 32-bit drivers for an SD card reader...which is all weird...

 

This possibility to configure an AW is available only in US ? It is not possible to do this also in Europa for example ?
Thank!

 

emilian in usa u can config like that posh guy before with 3000 S purchase
or in europe u can upgrade TT Z and CS series only ..

 

DoJC:
u made big mistake so much money i just bought AW11S/B for £1000 and am gonna have core 2duo T9800 for £250 from ebay and 2x 500GB for £180 and 4GB of ram waiting in my drawer .. I will have better machine for less money

 

Thank you very much, I finally found a store selling these bags!
So, today I went to reserve the computer, it will arrive next week (Sony doesn't ship to Balearic islands, unbelievable...).
If something else needs info about bags: in the shop, I spoke with the salesman and he told be that the 17" sony bag does fit for the 18.4" laptop, but it is exactly the right size, so no margin left to absorb shocks or to put something else in the bag.
He also told me that he had no problem with the 18.4" bag on the airplane...
I hope this helps if something is in doubt like me for the transportation problems!

 

That's always possible that I spent too much, but I don't have RAM sitting around that I can use. But, a quick check over at Crucial's website shows that 8GB of RAM would run me $820 from them vs $600 from Sony. Plus, from what I've read in this thread you need to buy two hard drives in order to get the power and SATA cables run to the location of the second drive. That means getting at least the cheapest dual hard drive option, which was the 640GB (2x 320GB) option that I ordered. Plus, the T9400 was only $50, and I can always get a T9800 in the future if I needed to upgrade mine to get more speed.

It was a LOT of money, but hopefully well spent on a laptop that will last for many years, and give me the ability to put in some SSDs when they are cheap enough.

Since I'm not familiar with the European models - does that particular model come with the Adobe RGB and LED screen?

 

One other issue too.
Changing your CPU will void your warranty.
Changing the HDD may - I'm not sure about that.

 

DoJC
Hi
Yes in europe here are 4 types of AW series M/H S/B Z/B and best XU/Q
SB and ZB have got double lamp and XU/Q have 3 LCD technology like sony big screen TV's
Very Nice picture ..
that adobe dunno

 

Does any body have a clue about this?

 

By the way...thought of posting my 3dmark score